All-American Meat Lovers’ Pizza Pie Recipe
All-American Meat Lovers’ Pizza Pie Recipe
This indulgent pizza pie combines the richness of a savory ground beef crust with layers of melted cheese and spicy pepperoni. A unique twist on the classic pizza, it’s perfect for meat lovers and comfort food enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef Crust:
1 ½ lbs (680g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
1 large egg (for binding)
¼ cup breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Toppings:
1 cup pizza sauce
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
20–25 slices of pepperoni
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Optional: sliced black olives, diced green peppers, or mushrooms
Instructions
1. Prepare the Ground Beef Crust:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large bowl, mix ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper until just combined. Do not overmix.
Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie dish, evenly spreading it to form a “crust” along the bottom and sides.
2. Pre-Bake the Crust:
Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any drippings.
Bake for 15–20 minutes or until the beef is cooked through and slightly browned. Carefully drain any excess grease.
3. Add the Sauce and Toppings:
Spread pizza sauce evenly over the ground beef crust.
Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese.
Arrange pepperoni slices on top, followed by Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Add any optional toppings at this stage.
4. Final Bake:
Return the pizza pie to the oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
5. Cool and Serve:
Allow the pizza pie to cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
Serve hot with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad.
Pro Tips:
For extra flavor: Brush the crust edge (ground beef) with garlic butter before the final bake.
Customizable toppings: Add crispy bacon bits or ground sausage for even more meat-packed goodness.
Make it spicy: Add jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
This ground beef pizza pie is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that merges the best of burgers and pizzas. Enjoy every meaty bite!